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JoinTech serves up cheapest, most useless, netbook of them all

by Parm Mann on 28 July 2008, 10:10

Tags: Netbooks

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaojd

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We might have liked MSI's Wind netbook, but the price on many of these ultra-portable devices is still a little too high for most, and infringes on full-size laptop territory.

Well than, take a look at this cheap-as-chips solution from JoinTech. It's called the J-Pro Mini Laptop, and it has two distinct features; a super-low pricetag of $99 and a super-low-end specification.

The machine features a Samsung chipset, and runs Windows CE 5.0 as its operating system. There's just 64MiB of RAM, and a ridiculously low 64MiB of storage, though, that can be extended by an external USB stick.

The J-Pro's 7in screen offers a simple 800x480 resolution and the device will be available in black, pink, white and blue colours.

It's far too low-powered for most purposes, but what do you expect for $99? We think we'll keep waiting for Eee and Wind prices to drop.

Official product page: JoinTech.com

HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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Posted by greenalien - Mon 28 Jul 2008 10:22
I think you're being far too quick to criticise this innovative device - it's light, has good battery life and looks ideal for mobile email and web surfing - the manufacturers website also promises WiFi as an add-on - and at that price, it looks like a great deal. Just the sort of thing to take on holiday, and no need to worry if it gets lost along with the rest of your luggage!
Posted by Parm - Mon 28 Jul 2008 10:31
I think my concern would be what can this netbook do that most mobile phones can't?

It's a device of netbook proportions, but I personally think it offers phone-like functionality and its size is therefore a bit of a waste?

You're right though greenalien, there's little need to worry if this one is lost with the luggage.
Posted by Jenny_Y8S - Mon 28 Jul 2008 11:12
The screen grabs show XP, which is clearly wrong.

And it only has a word viewer, not the “full” version that you should be getting. So it's totally useless as a mobile word processor.

I agree, it may be only $99 but it's next to useless, as lets face it even the CE IE is a pile of steaming…
Posted by Methanoid - Mon 28 Jul 2008 11:55
Oh dear, there seems to be a mass attack of lack of reading here.

Sorry Hexus but this IS a worthwhile device. £60 or $99 is pretty good for an internet browsing sorta device. Its certainly not without use. I'd buy this for my kids as if they trash it I would not need to get as upset as I would if they trash a £500 laptop. I support Greenalien's comments.

“I think my concern would be what can this netbook do that most mobile phones can't?” - find me a mobile phone with a keyboard and a 7“ screen.

”So it's totally useless as a mobile word processor" - if you go to the company's website they have the manual for download as well as the specs. Sure, Word viewer but there is Word pad which is acceptable as a BASIC word processor.

For the price I think this is a great device. Certainly its closer to the original Eee ethos of cheap n cheerful and basic functional. The netbook market is gradually creeping up in price and down in appeal in my opinion!
Posted by Nelviticus - Mon 28 Jul 2008 12:48
Speaking as someone who's had the unpleasant experience of using Windows Mobile 2003, which is pretty close to Windows CE 5.0, I think it will suckety-suck. But then it is cheapety-cheap. If it has a decent browser it might reach the level of “painfully adequate” but if it's stuck with an old version of Pocket IE it will be dreadful.

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